Richard Ashcroft has been forced to postpone upcoming shows in London and Manchester due to illness.

The former Verve frontman has been on the road in support of his latest album ‘Natural Rebel‘. However, Ashcroft has now pulled tonight’s gig at Manchester’s Albert Hall and Friday’s at The Forum in London due to a throat infection.

“I want to say how disappointed i am to have to reschedule the upcoming Manchester and London shows,” he wrote on Instagram. “I was diagnosed by the Middlesbrough team doctor and he said the throat virus probably started before Glasgow.

“It would have been easy to say we’ll just cancel Middlesbrough and Nottingham but the reason I was there is to play some cities like Middlesbrough that get passed on! It has really been hard to make this call but everyone deserves to hear me at my best. It hurts to think people have booked hotels etc, that’s the worst bit.”

Referring to the below praise from Liam Gallagher, Ashcroft continued: “Again [apologies] to fans band crew. I will be back stronger. I hope people who did see those shows [know] I care and love being up there. Liam thanks ???? I know you was looking forward too.”

Surprised by the joy as you were LG x

— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) October 19, 2018

Ashcroft has made headlines recently with a bizarre appearance on BBC Breakfast, as well as burning a copy of the NME, and claiming that the ‘sachet’ seen falling out of his sock during his appearance on Soccer AM is a “doctored” image.

The singer was a guest on the show last month when viewers spotted what looked like a sachet appearing to fall out of his sock. He quickly swooped down to pick it up. A number of viewers soon shared footage on Twitter, suggesting that it was a small bag of drugs.

“I don’t know how many national publications printed a picture that someone had sent in from online,” he said. “It’s strange when you have been in the game this long that this idea would take place. But to see the effects of a doctored photograph by an individual, who we don’t know who it is.But believe you me, you are going to regret doing that, whoever you are.”

Ashcroft’s remaining UK and Ireland tour dates are below. Tickets are available here.